Charles Town, WV Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 54% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Charles Town Safe?
Mostly yes — Charles Town is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Charles Town has a crime rate that is 24% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 333.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 333
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
21% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 62
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
12% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Charles Town Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
79 | -21% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
79 | -21% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
80 | -20% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
85 | -15% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
85 | -15% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Charles Town Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Charles Town Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Charles Town zip codes.
Charles Town Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Charles Town, WV?
Charles Town, WV has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 24% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 333 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 62 chance for property crime. Charles Town has lower crime than 54% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Charles Town, WV safe to live in?
Charles Town is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Charles Town is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Charles Town?
The estimated violent crime rate in Charles Town is 300.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 21% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 333 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.0 per 100K (21% below average); aggravated assault at 212.3 per 100K (21% below average); robbery at 57.5 per 100K (22% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Charles Town?
The estimated property crime rate in Charles Town is 1,608.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 12% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 62 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 144.8 per 100K (46% below average); larceny/theft at 1,194.2 per 100K (15% below average); vehicle theft at 269.4 per 100K (15% below average).
How does Charles Town crime compare to the national average?
Charles Town's overall crime rate is 24% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (15% below average), while burglary is 46% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Charles Town has lower crime than 54% of them.
Is Charles Town safe to visit?
Charles Town is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 12% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Charles Town crime compare to the rest of West Virginia?
West Virginia as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Charles Town's crime rate is 24% below the national average, making it safer the typical West Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Charles Town?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Charles Town, with an estimated rate of 1,194.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 15% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,608 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (301 per 100K) in Charles Town, which is consistent with national trends.